It appears that the future is now, as the U.S. Army begins evaluating the use of nuclear "microreactors" on Army bases to improve resiliency.
Under development with the Department of Energy, microreactors can be transported in a connex container loaded onto the back of a truck. Microreactors can be used to power microgrids, bring power to areas impacted by natural disasters, power water desalination plants, and other applications.
"When it comes to installation energy resilience and reliable power to support operational and strategic readiness on installations, we can’t leave anything off the table," explained Rachel Jacobson, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. "We are actively developing a solution set that includes all types of power that will meet those needs; nuclear is one that we are looking at as part of our deliberate and thoughtful planning."
Utilizing uranium enriched beyond what is currently found in Uranium-235, used in my conventional reactors, the Army is looking at employing microreactors as soon as 2030.
"This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance mission assurance, readiness and power-projection capabilities through a forward-leaning energy enterprise that leverages next-generation technologies," an Army press release stated.
Microreactors will also have the benefit of a longer core life, and can go up to ten years without refueling. They are expected to produce megawatts of thermal energy, which could be used directly for heating, or could be converted into electricity.